Coquille people facts for kids

The Coquille (pronounced KOH-kwel) are a group of Native American people. They traditionally lived along the Coquille River and the nearby coast in what is now southern Oregon. For thousands of years, their ancestors thrived in this beautiful area.

In 1855, the Coquille signed a treaty. After this, many Coquille people were moved to the Siletz Reservation in northwestern Oregon in 1856. Today, most Coquille people are part of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. However, some Coquille families stayed in their homeland or later returned. These families now form the Coquille Indian Tribe, which is based in southwest Oregon near Coos Bay.

Discovering the Coquille Name

The name "Coquille" has an interesting story! According to the Coquille Indian Tribe, it comes from a native word for lamprey. Lamprey is a type of fish that was a very important food for the tribe.

When European settlers first heard this word, they tried to say it. It sounded like KOH-kwel to them. Over time, it was written down as "Coquille," which is a French word meaning "shell."

Later, the way people said the name of the town and river changed to koh-KEEL. But the Coquille Tribe kept the older pronunciation, KOH-kwel, for their people.

Coquille Family Groups

The Coquille people are made up of different groups. These include parts of the Lower Coquille Miluk people and parts of the Lower Rogue River Athabascan people.

The Lower Rogue River Athabascan groups included the Upper Coquille (also called Mishikwutinetunne), the Shastacosta, and the Tututni tribes. The Tututni tribe itself had several smaller family groups, like the Kwatami and the Mikonotunne. These different groups lived together and shared their culture.

Speaking Coquille Languages

Historically, the Coquille people spoke two main languages. One was called Miluk, which is part of the Coosan language family. The other was the Upper Coquille dialect of Lower Rogue River, which belongs to the Pacific Coast Athabaskan language family.

When Coquille people moved to the Siletz Reservation, they met many other tribes. Everyone spoke different languages. To communicate, they often used a common language called Chinuk Wawa. This language helped people from many different backgrounds talk to each other.

Today, the Coquille Indian Tribe is working hard to bring back their traditional languages. They have programs to teach Miluk and Upper Coquille Athabaskan. The Confederated Tribes of Siletz also have a language program. It focuses on Siletz Dee-ni, which is an Athabaskan language important to many Siletz communities. These efforts help keep their heritage alive for future generations.

A Glimpse into Coquille History

People have lived in the Coquille River area for a very long time. Evidence shows human activity along the coast for about 8,000 years. In inland areas, people have lived there for as long as 11,000 years! Ancient fish traps used on the lower Coquille River are at least 1,000 years old.

The Coquille people were skilled at living off the land and water. They fished in the tidewaters and estuaries along the Oregon coastline. They used special fishing fences called weirs and basket traps. They also gathered shellfish from the coast.

Their homes varied. Some lived in simple shelters made from cedar planks. Others built sturdy houses with wood frames, covered with sod or grass reeds.

The Coquille people also created a large network of trails, footpaths, and canoe routes. These paths connected different communities and helped them travel and trade. European explorers, like Alexander Roderick McLeod in 1826, learned about these routes.

Life After the 1855 Treaty

After the treaty of 1855, many Coquille people were moved to the Coastal Indian Reservation. This reservation is now known as the Siletz Reservation. This was a big change for their communities.

Today, Coquille people are members of two main tribal groups. These are the Coquille Indian Tribe and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz. Both tribes work to preserve their culture and traditions.

In the 1800s, several Athabascan tribes, including Coquille, were sometimes called "Rogue River Indians." This name was used for different groups living in that region.

See also

In Spanish: Coquille (pueblo) para niños

• Coquelle Thompson
• Coquille Indian Tribe
• Confederated Tribes of the Siletz